Zoolumination Night at the Nashville Zoo ✨🦒

Ready to wander through giant glowing animals and neon landscapes?

Join us for Zoolumination Night at the Nashville Zoo, where the pathways are lined with 1,000+ glowing lanterns, towering displays, dazzling colors, and larger-than-life wildlife scenes.

• We’ll meet at the zoo around 5:00 PM to walk the lantern trail together, take photos, and soak in the lights, music, and winter vibes. Exhibit access runs from 5:00 PM–9:00 PM, but our group will plan to explore from 5:00–7:00 PM before heading to dinner.
• After Zoolumination, we’ll drive a short distance to Edessa Kurdish Turkish Cuisine, an award-winning spot for Mediterranean and Kurdish/Turkish dishes...kabobs, vegetarian plates, and all the cozy food your soul deserves. 🥙🔥

Good to Know:

Tickets:

• You’ll need to purchase your own Zoolumination ticket directly from the Nashville Zoo website (choose the 5:00 PM entry time if available).
• All sales are final, and the zoo doesn’t offer refunds or rain checks.

Timing:

• Plan to arrive a little before 5:00 PM so we can enter together.
• Exhibit access is available until 9:00 PM if you want to linger after the “official” 5–7 PM window and skip out on Dinner.

Artisan Shows:

• Weather permitting, there are nightly performances at the Ajax Turner Amphitheater at 6:00 PM. We may catch part of one while we’re there!

Risks (and Perks!):

• Cold weather: You might lose feeling in your fingertips for a minute, but you’ll gain 47 new lantern photos for your camera roll. 🥶📸 DRESS WARM!
• Crowds: There will be people. Probably a lot of them. Also: prime people-watching.
• So much walking: Your step count will be thriving. Your feet… slightly less so. Wear good shoes.
• Sensory overload (in a good way): Bright lights, music, color everywhere.

Optional Supper to Follow (Highly Encouraged):

Edessa Kurdish Turkish Cuisine
Mediterranean & Kurdish/Turkish dishes, including kabobs, grilled meats, and vegetarian options, all in a traditional, warm setting. They’re open until 9:00 PM on Saturday, so we’ll aim to arrive around 7:15 PM.

It’ll be a relaxed meal to warm up, decompress from the crowds, and share our favorite parts of Zoolumination. If you’re planning to join for dinner, please say so when you RSVP so we can plan for seating. 🫶

Why This Matters:
This is more than just looking at pretty lights (though, yes, there will be MANY pretty lights).

By joining: You’re supporting the Nashville Zoo, a nonprofit organization focused on animal care, conservation, and education.